Question

How can I tell my child the truth about Santa?

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My husband and I swore that we'd never lie to our children about anything -- including Santa Claus. But last night my daughter said that Santa is going to bring her presents on Christmas. I've explained to her that Santa isn't real, but she gets upset when she hears this. How can I let her enjoy the fun of Saint Nick without lying to her?

Mom Answers

There are so many bad things going on in this world today. Whats wrong with letting a young one fantasize about Santa. It won't be long before they find out all of life's real problems. I think that as long as you are teaching the child to be realistic in every other way this one little white lie for their enjoyment is harmless. I can't imagine being told as a child that santa did not exist. I hold a very fond memory of the expectations of christmas eve and can't tell you how much i enjoy continuing this tradition with my 2 young children. Lastly, I would hope that any parent that choses to tell their child there is no santa is also instructed not to ruin it for others!

I believe. There are lots of stories about st. nick spirit every year and miricles these are from God . I belive in fairys and santa and anything else. If you belive in God than why not spirits and or angles or guides or whatever you wnat to call them. St. Nick shows children the spirit of Christ by giving on Chistmas. The whole he sees you when your sleeping and stuff is a little weird but oh well it is hard to get over it when they love to sing the song and all the rest of my family keeps saying Santas watching you better be good . That does bug me. However I had to chuckle when my dh calls my ds at home knowing full well he has been naughty and pretends to be santa my sons eyes pop out as he holds the phone and promises to behave. Plus his grampa dresses up on christmas eve and brings them each a present which all year is treasured because it was from Santa. I believe in EVERYTHING!

When my parents "told" us that the idea of Santa delivering presents to EVERYONE wasn't true, they explained it to us in a way that reinforced the point of Santa - that there is a bit of Santa Claus in each and every one of us. And if it takes one season each year to push us toward helping others in need by giving of ourselves or of toys we purchased, by donating clothing or food to others who need it - that is what Santa is about - giving selflessly to others with nothing expected in return (maybe a few cookies) - why not reinforce those thoughts with your children?

We aren't even getting Santa started in out home. We feel it is wrong to start our children off with thinking it is okay to lie. Our other nieces and nephews have Santa at their house but we don't at ours. We told our daughter that long ago there was a man that used to give toys and clothes to needy families and he was called Nicholas. But now he is dead and in heaven and that everybody likes to remember him so they pretend he brings gifts on christmas. We don't have Santa at our house because Christmas is about Jesus and it is wrong to celebrate anyone but him on Christmas. Christmas is about loving each other and reminding ourselves that forgiveness and love is why we are here. We only exchange hand made gifts and eat dinner on Christmas. We exchange gifts but not on Christmas or Christmas eve and they are not wrapped but simple gifts that we would normally give any other time of the year. She was satisfied with the explanation and did not miss out on the fun of being with family.

Our family has always followed the simple policy of honesty. It has kept our marriage strong for 20 years & has never damaged our children (now ranging from 17-6 years). They love, appreciate and can clearly distinguish between fantasy and reality. We have always approached Christams and the santa issue historicly. There was a bishop who lived long ago. He loved Jesus, too. He did such nice things that many people wanted to keep imagining he was still alive. We know he died a long time ago, but we keep giving gifts just like he did. Sometimes, just like him, we like to give a surprise and not tell anyone. Jesus smiles when we are kind to others, & He surely smiled when the bishop was kind. We don't pretend the bishop is still alive, but we do love hearing the bit of history around his life. He shared the love of Christ with others at Christmas! We tell the kids this & speak honestly to our children about God, Jesus & "santa". It has never failed us or them!

They can believe in Santa Claus without being lied to... [generally] parents assume the role of Santa Claus, thus making him real.
Your name isn't mom or dad, is it? No. It's a role. Just as Santa is a role at Christmas. It is a spirit that travels the world.
It would be nice if you explained that lot's of children have different beliefs about Santa and that this is ok and they shouldn't try to convert their belief system or spoil their joy.

Lying to your kid is one thing, but allowing them to actually be kids and believe in Santa clause, good grief people, they're kids! Let them believe! They're not going to resent you when they grow up for 'lying' to them about Santa what they might resent is you forcing them to grow up too fast and never having a normal childhood!

I know this is an old topic, but I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth. We let our daughter believe in Santa. I believed in him growing up and have great memories based on that belief. It never shook my faith in my parents or in Jesus and God to find out Santa wasn't real. Maybe it is the way my parents explained it when I started questioning. They told me that Santa is like the spirit of Christmas and giving and love and thinking of others. Then they told me about the real Santa... Saint Nicholas. He was a real man who really did give to others... sometimes in secret. My husband and I let our 3 year old believe in Santa, but we also talk about the real St Nick. We read stories about the real man and let her decide for herself if she believes in Santa. One great book is called "Is Santa Real". It's a kids book and it's great!
Either way, as a parent, you have to do what you feel is best for your child. Just make sure they respect other kids' beliefs, too. Thanks.

You might get your domestic helper to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas eve to catch Santa Claus. The baby is small, we do not educate them like adult speaking manner. Therefore I went out to consult VeryMaids? Toniana Choy and ECD Consultant, they said that the world is full of children to imagine the world of arts talents each person is a child's imagination from the beginning of germination.

Come on, baby, Santa Claus won't eat you! If you go closer, he'll give you a present! if you made wishes in front of it Santa would make them true. Santa hats had twinkling lights everywhere. Yeah, the baby is small, we do not educate them like adult speaking manner. My family invite VeryMaids? domestic helper, she can wash baby?s hands while sing kids? songs, baby thought washing hands is something interesting, so baby cooperate to washing. VeryMaids? domestic helper told me that children?s ability of imitation is strong when he was zero to three years old and guide baby to play games in a happy way, leaving baby to finish his paintings lonely. Later, tell him a good story to develop his practice ability. In this way, we can receive a good effect. Give you VeryMaids? website: http://www.verymaids.com/EN/index-en.html.

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